SPEAK NO EVIL (2024) – Film Review

A Tale of Two Films – Dark Horror vs. Dark Comedy

DIRECTED BY JAMES WATKINS/2024

When I heard that the Dutch horror film Speak No Evil (2022) was getting an American remake just two years after its release, I was dumbfounded.

As Bong Joon Ho famously said, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” It felt like the Tafdrup brothers were getting shortchanged, as their original horror movie was about to be “redone” so soon after its release.

While I want to discuss Speak No Evil (2024), it seems unfair not to reference the original.

I’ve watched the original twice—once upon its release in September 2022 and again in April of this year (thank you Letterboxd). Both times, I rated it 3.5/5. It’s a solid horror film—its premise is intriguing and original, the tone is bleak, and the ending lingers with you. It’s the kind of dark horror movie you almost hesitate to recommend to others.

In the 2024 remake, we’re essentially getting about 80% of the same movie but with a completely different atmosphere.

Without revealing too much, the first third of the remake closely mirrors the original but with an almost contrasting tone. Surprisingly, it’s funny. Director James Watkins (Eden Lake) seems to have approached the script with more of a dark-comedy/thriller in mind. While some may disagree, I found myself laughing more than I expected and found it funnier than scary. Despite the disturbing foundation of the movie, the awkward pauses, sly glances, and witty delivery of lines felt… hilarious? Even the tension-filled moments—like awkward, tense stares (Cotton-Eyed Joe, anyone?)—are played with humor.

The film retains much of the original’s structure: two couples meet, befriend each other, and gradually reveal their true intentions. The dynamic between the hunter and the hunted remains, and it’s extremely entertaining to watch. My theater erupted with disbelief, shock, and laughter throughout the runtime. It felt like a cat-and-mouse game, and the audience was completely engaged and totally immersed in everything unfolding.

However, I find myself conflicted. Do we praise the remake for being a decent retelling? Should I judge it as a standalone film, ignoring the source material? Do I prefer this version? Do I appreciate the changes? It’s hard to say.

American remakes happen all the time, and sometimes they work—notably, The Ring (2002) is one of my favorite horror movies. Gore Verbinski adapted Ringu (1998) into an American horror classic just four years after the original, and I actually prefer the remake.

It can be done well, but this particular remake coming only two years after the original leaves a bad taste. It feels lazy, like an attempt to avoid subtitles or to assert that the remake is superior. And, again, without giving anything away, it’s a highly Americanized remake. I think this is important to point out because American remakes are often watered down and rarely push boundaries—if you know, you know.

As a champion of original horror, I’m torn. But I will say I’m pleasantly surprised by the remake. It stands on its own as a dark comedy-thriller, whereas the original was more of a bleak psychological horror film. Both get a solid 3.5/5 from me, though for different reasons. Here’s a guide on which version to watch:

2022: